Word Origin & History

Old English utian "expel, put out" (see out (adv.)); used in many senses over the years. Meaning "to expose as a closet homosexual" is first recorded 1990 (as an adjective meaning "openly avowing one's homosexuality" it dates from 1970s; see closet); sense of "disclose to public view, reveal, make known" has been present since mid-14c.

Related: Outed; outing.

Example Sentences for outed

We shall be outed; and that'll never do, because there's no other set of fellows that can save this country.'

But no girl gets "outed," as you call it, unless she's predisposed that way.

I'll bet you've never realised the life girls who get outed lead.

On making certain concessions, outed ministers were to be restored.

I outed the chap, an' you took care o' the ha'pence; so we helped each other, an' done it atween us.

Come to that, it might ha' been you outed instead o' your friend what you was talkin' so sociable with.

So he was adjudged scandalous, and outed of his benefice, and our minister had the parsonage.

It was some years before the manses were built, and homelessness added to poverty pressed heavily on the outed ministers.

"I'm sure, sir, you may well be proud to have outed him in one round," said the publican.

And, hang me, if the major didn't say we must go and make absolutely sure that we had outed 'em.